"Who Was That Masked Man?"

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi-Yo
Silver … the Lone Ranger!

A legendary hero and no one ever knew his name.

We never even knew what he looked like.

He didn't care. It wasn't about him.

It was about everybody else.

He was the Lone Ranger.

Ever notice that anytime we have a figure like him it's always fictional?

Batman. Superman. Green Hornet. X-Men.

It has to be fictional.

Nobody real is willing to labor in obscurity. Everybody wants their 15 minutes of fame.

Everybody wants the warm fuzzies and the slaps on the back.

Everybody want to be sure they aren't being cheated out of their share of fame.

Everybody but Jesus.

When we create a figure we can admire we label it a "superhero".

Not Jesus. He rejects any such notoriety or labels.

We tried naming Him the "Superstar" once.

It probably made Him nauseous.

The kicker is, who do we think served as the original concept for what has become every child's fantasy?

Most of the superheroes we have created are Christocentric. They are generally "types" of Christ.

They are the beacons of hope in the midst of hopelessness, generally indestructible, good and pure through and through, always there in the nick of time, and at the end evil is defeated and all is well again.

Sounds kind of like Jesus to me.

There's just one twist.

We make movies about Batman and Superman.

We revile and crucify Jesus.

We don't believe He is who He says He is.

(We) being society in general.

Yet, the consequences for the disbelief of the only One who actually has the power and the willingness to make a difference in society is a suffering so great that it will last far beyond when the last action hero is drawn in a comic strip.

Here's what Jesus says in His straightforward and truthful way:

John 8:24 (AMP) - "That is why I told you that you will die in (under the curse of) your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He [Whom I claim to be--if you do not adhere to, trust in, and rely on Me], you will die in your sins."

Superman can't get us out of that one. Even Batman needs to hear this. Wolverine can just tuck in his claws and pack it in.

The real hero is in town.

And He's for real.

We know His name. He doesn't wear a mask.

He is available and accessible.

Everyone else is a cheap knockoff.

So Lois, who are you going to call?

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><